Aware of the common anxiety about
food and raiment, Jesus gave the following rule of action: "Seek ye first
the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added
unto you" (Matt. 6:33). Is this rule practical? And, if so, what does
Christian Science have to do to make Jesus' rule of action both true and
practical?

Of course the kingdom of God is
the realm governed by God, and seeking the kingdom of God is seeking to be
governed by God. Right thinking and right doing, which constitute
righteousness, are the result of being completely governed by God. But why
should this bring all the things that men rightly desire?

Christian Science is intensely
practical. It leaves no gap between the highest ideals and workable, everyday
provisions for daily human needs. In the Christian Science textbook,
"Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy,
we read (p. 494), ''Divine Love always has met and
always will meet every human need."

This statement by Mrs. Eddy may
be considered correlative to Jesus' instruction. Indeed Christian Science is
teaching men how to acquaint themselves with God, divine Love, the source of all good.

So let us look into it, "let
us reason together" and see just how and why Christian Science has proved
its value to so many thousands of people.

Discovery of Christian Science

First it would be interesting to
review briefly the discovery and establishment of Christian Science. Any
science has its discoverer, who first recognizes and appreciates the laws upon
which the science is based, and the Discoverer of Christian Science was Mary
Baker Eddy. While in her day there were not available to women the colleges
that we have now, she must be considered as a highly educated woman because she
acquired through her own efforts and independent study, as well as through her
constant contact with educated people, what would be the equivalent of a
well-rounded education. Her family were devout
Christians, and she herself from early childhood was deeply religious. As her
thought developed, she was disturbed by the apparent conflict between the
logical, intelligent thinking which was expected of an educated person and the
religious dogmas that she was told should be accepted and believed without
question. Her researches in ancient and modern philosophies and various schools
of thought could not reconcile these two points of view. The healing of disease
by Jesus seemed to her to call for an explanation, and she could not believe
the usual statement that he exercised some mysterious, supernatural power which
could not be understood.

When, in the year 1866, Mrs. Eddy
met with an accident and was told that it would prove fatal, she called for her
Bible and studied the account of the healing by Jesus of a palsied man. She
grasped the fact that this healing must have resulted from the operation of
law, and therefore that the same laws that Jesus understood and used must be
available to her. This realization of the unchanging law of God, which was
operative in her time just as it was when Jesus applied it, produced a profound
impression on her thought, with the significant result that her body was
instantly healed.

Like other scientific pioneers,
Mrs. Eddy was not content merely to observe the phenomenon, but she must know
the laws which produced the effect. Realizing what it would mean to mankind if
Jesus' method of healing could be discovered, she dropped all other activities
and devoted her entire attention to a study of the Bible and of Jesus' words
and works. As a scientific investigator, she looked for facts and laws where
others had been content to observe the phenomena and speak of them as
supernatural or miraculous. In this way she discovered the laws that Jesus had
used and the methods of practically applying them to human needs. Since this
was the Science of Christianity, she called her discovery Christian Science.

After broad practical tests of
this scientific method of healing Mrs. Eddy wrote a textbook on this Science
called "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." While there
were great numbers who needed its explanation of Christianity and its laws of
healing, only comparatively few knew of this book. To meet this need the
Discoverer of this Science, with the co-operation of many of those who had been
benefited by her teachings, established the activities which, under her
guidance, developed into the Christian Science movement. Today The Mother
Church with its branches, its Christian Science Publishing Society, and all the
activities provided for in our Church Manual stands as a result of the remarkable
vision and ability of its Founder.

One of Mrs. Eddy's noteworthy
achievements was the provision in detail for the form of government of The
Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts,
in our Church Manual, of which she is the author. The unique service which The
Mother Church continues to render in protecting and forwarding the growing
recognition of Christian Science has been made possible through the foresight
of the author of the Manual.

No one who is well informed can
question the ability and wisdom of Mary Baker Eddy; what she accomplished
speaks for itself. But those who
have received healing and happiness through Christian Science add to their
admiration gratitude and love for the one who made this good available to them.
Christian Scientists do not worship Mrs. Eddy, but for them to fail to have a
deep sense of gratitude and love toward her would be unnatural.

So Christian Scientists think of
Mary Baker Eddy as the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. And they
recognize her as the Leader whose clear perception of Truth has led them, and
continues to lead them, to health and freedom, success and happiness.

The ancient prophets recognized
to a degree the unfolding of the laws of God in their experience, and therefore
they could foresee that a fuller understanding must come. Jesus declared (John
14:16, 17), "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another
Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth."
The discovery and founding of Christian Science by Mary Baker Eddy was then in
fulfillment of prophecy.

The Science of Christianity

In considering how and why
Christian Science works, it is important to recognize that it is an exact
Science. A science cannot stand if it is built upon mistakes. The ancient
phlogiston theory of matter was based on error. A science must be based on
facts, not mistakes.

A science must deal not only with
facts, but with the laws that explain the facts and show their relationship
with each other. The mere correct observation and recoding of facts does not
constitute a science. When Watt noted the lifting of the kettle lid by the
power of steam, the significant thing was not that this occurred, but that
someone recognized the law back of it. When Franklin received the electric
spark from the kite string, the important thing was that he looked for the laws
of electricity, instead of just noting the fact. Today, steam and electricity
are useful because someone searched not only for facts but also for their laws
and relationships.

Christian Science as a Science
deals therefore not only with facts but also with laws. In any form of
laboratory experiment, if you accurately understand the laws involved, you can
reproduce in the laboratory the conditions these laws permit. Today Christian
Science enables us to perform the kind of healing which was done by Jesus and
his apostles when we understand the laws involved. The facts are that Jesus and
his apostles healed disease and also that similar healings are produced today
by the same methods which they used. Christian Science supplies the scientific
explanation of the laws which produced the facts.

Laws of God

What are the laws of God that can
be utilized in healing and in solving other human problems? Perhaps first of
all we should be sure that we have a clear concept of what God is. Is God a
cruel potentate who loves and hates, and whose laws may either help or harm? Is
God an unintelligent automatic reaction which may be beneficent or destructive,
with a system of laws that are sometimes good and sometimes harmful? Is God a
blind force, sometimes called nature, which makes mistakes and causes suffering
and disease? Does God share the government of the universe with a powerful evil
or devil who can interfere with or prevent the operation of God's laws?
Christian Science does not so define God; but on the other hand it does not
merely offer one more definition of God to add to the confusion and conflict of
the many concepts of Deity that are prevalent. Because it is Science, Christian
Science is concerned with ultimate facts that are logical and unavoidable and
with the laws that correlate these facts.

One thing that must necessarily
be true is that laws cannot be in conflict with each other if these laws are to
operate without change. One mathematical law cannot be in conflict with
another. All of the laws of mathematics are maintained in their relationship of
noninterference and harmony by the principle of mathematics which governs them
all. As in the limited field of mathematics, so in the broader realm that
includes all law, there can be no conflict or inharmony between laws, if all
laws are to continue to operate. As the principle of mathematics governs and
protects its laws, so there must be one great Principle governing and
harmonizing, and therefore maintaining, all the laws of the universe. Only thus
could we have laws which would continue to operate without interference so that
we are able to rely on their unchanging operation. If there were no such laws
there would be no science of any kind. If there are dependable laws, there must
be one supreme Principle governing all laws and maintaining their existence.

In the scientific study of this
Principle, is it possible to find any facts about it which are necessarily
true? Yes, there are a number of things which must be true. This all-inclusive
Principle is surely good for and to all the laws that exist, as well as the
results which follow from their operation, because it maintains their very
existence. So we must recognize it as wholly and completely good.

As this Principle controls an
intelligible, understandable universe, including intelligent man, it cannot be
less than intelligent. Since it is intelligent, it must know the laws and facts
that are based upon it, including everything that there is to be known, hence
it must be perfect Mind. Being all-intelligent, Principle must appreciate the
goodness and harmony of the realities that are controlled by it. Its very
nature must be Love. Since all the actualities of life are founded upon it, we
can speak of it as Life itself. The basis of all that is true, it is Truth
itself. Unlimited by time or space, always active, it is Spirit. Including and
maintaining all identity, we can speak of it as Soul.

So in our scientific study of the
nature of God and His laws, we logically begin with an accurate consideration
of exactly what we mean by the term God, and the Christian Science textbook
gives these synonyms of God: divine Principle, Life, Truth, Love, Soul, Spirit,
Mind. There can be no intelligent doubt that such a
God exists. That this God governs all the laws of the universe is also not
subject to logical denial. Thus an accurately scientific study of God and His
laws not only deals with fundamental reality; it includes within its broad
scope all that there is to be known. It is complete Science.

It seems entirely logical, then,
if the universe is governed by a good Principle which controls all its laws,
that as one conforms to these laws he finds all the laws of the universe
working together in harmony for his best interests. As we "seek . . .
first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness"
naturally all the laws that exist work together to bring to us all the good we
could desire.

Obedience to Principle

But in order to obey God's laws
one must know what they are. On the first page of the Preface of the Christian
Science textbook, Science and Health, we read (p. vii): "Ignorance of God
is no longer the stepping-stone to faith. The only guarantee of obedience is a
right apprehension of Him whom to know aright is Life eternal." What we
have already considered in regard to God and His laws can be of help to us. We
can use the synonyms for God that we have been talking about.

For example, which is in
conformity to the laws of God — to be sick or to be well? Since God, Principle,
is good, and therefore could not maintain a law which would harm or destroy any
actuality in His universe, sickness must be opposed to
God and His laws. On the other hand, health, being good and in harmony with
Principle, is in accordance with God's law. To be sick, to accept and obey
so-called laws of disease, would be contrary to God's government, and we should
obey the laws of God if we would effectively overcome and destroy sickness.
Then if we are to obey the laws of God which would require that we resist and
destroy disease, how do we go about it?

Again, our synonyms for God help
us. God is Truth, and Truth exercises a unique power. A fact has an
irresistible power over a mistake. A truth will always destroy a mistake or
error. In adding figures, if there is a mistake, it can always be destroyed by
applying the appropriate fact. The fact then destroys the mistake. The mistake
does not affect the fact, and it cannot resist the truth. The application of
the truth to an error has a powerful effect in mathematics. We find that this
is not confined to mathematics but that divine Truth can always destroy error.

Then how can one best utilize the
power of Truth over error? If you wished to use electrical power in your home
you would learn something about how it works. You would not use a piece of
string instead of a copper wire to carry the current. If you wished to use the
power of a gasoline motor in driving a car you would not put water in the gas
tank. And if you wished to drive a car successfully, you would devote adequate
time to learning how to drive. A beginner may step on the gas and get
remarkable results, but to continue to drive wisely and well requires both
instruction and practice. Similarly, in applying the power of Truth over error,
the power of God over all evil and inharmony, we need both to study how to do
it and to practice what we learn.

A man applied for life insurance.
After a physical examination he was rejected and told it was because he had an
incurable heart ailment which might prove fatal at any time. He went to a
Christian Science practitioner for help. To the practitioner this was an
opportunity to utilize the good power of God, of Truth, of Love. Here was a man
who was earnestly striving to obey the Bible command, "Thou shalt love the
Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength" (Mark 12:30).
Were there laws that could govern a man's heart and produce death, stopping
Life and its activity? In the light of Christian Science, the Science of God
and His laws, it was apparent that this could not be true.

It became clear to both
practitioner and patient that God, eternal Life and Love, governs man and
everything that belongs to him; that man reflects God and does not manifest
false concepts of substance; that there was no law of God that could maintain
any defect of action or substance; but that on the contrary God omnipotent
controlled man's being, protecting it from anything discordant and destroying
with the great power of Truth anything that would obscure or interfere with the
perfection of a child of God.

It was necessary patiently and
persistently to apply these spiritual fats. However, before long this man found
himself entirely free from heart trouble. He went back to apply for the life
insurance, and was told that there was not a chance that his application would
be accepted. However, he requested an examination, and the medical examiner,
even with the record of the previous examination before him, could find nothing
wrong. After a series of examinations and a check-up by the home office, the
final conclusion was that there was nothing wrong with his heart, though no one
could understand how the previous condition could have been cleared up. He was
given the insurance for which he had applied.

And why not?
Is it not logical that God, divine Principle, infinite Love and Truth, should
overcome and render powerless a false theory that would deny the existence and
supremacy of the great Principle that is essential to the existence of a
harmonious universe?

If disease and all evil are not
actualities but errors that can be destroyed by Truth, why do they seem so
real? Well, why does a mistake in addition seem real? There is really no good
reason for it. It does seem real temporarily to a sort of false consciousness
that disappears with the mistake. After you correct the mistake, you wonder how
that mistake could have seemed real to anyone. We have to look out for that
false consciousness or false self. In Christian Science we call it mortal man.
It is not real. It never takes the place of the real man, who is intelligent
and conscious only of reality. Your real self is never touched by a mistake.
The false self that seems to experience sickness is dropped with the sickness
that it feels. But the real man, who is the perfect likeness of God, remains
unchanged.

The Bible

For centuries many of the most
important teachings of the Bible have been obscured by ignorance and
misinterpretation. Christian Science with its textbook including a "Key to
the Scriptures" makes available the deeper truths of the Bible and shows
how practical they are. Daily study of the Bible together with Science and
Health becomes a privilege and a pleasure, an investment of time that pays rich
dividends. We learn to find the far-reaching statements of truth made by early
prophets, and to understand how Jesus utilized the laws of God. We recognize
that Jesus was the Son of God, and we also understand what he meant when he
said, "I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God. and your God" (John 20:17).

Christ and Salvation

Christian Science makes a
distinction between the Christ, spoken of in Science and Health as "the
divine manifestation of God, which comes to the flesh to destroy incarnate
error" (p. 583), and Jesus, defined as "the highest human corporeal
concept of the divine idea . . . " (p.589). That
"which comes to the flesh to destroy incarnate error," is the one and
only Christ there ever was or ever will be. Jesus, Mary's son, is the only one
who ever was or ever will be vested with the divine title of Christ. The divine
law through which the healing Christ operates must be understood and
demonstrated by everyone who works out his own salvation from sin, disease, and
death. Salvation is not deferred to a doubtful future, but it is here, now, as
we realize the presence of God, Principle, Love, saving and healing and
providing for us. We learn to put off the old man, the false mortal self, and
to put on the new man, the eternal reality of true selfhood which is instant in
responding to God's loving, wise government.

But to know that there is a
science of mathematics and admire it and approve of it will not help an
engineer to build bridges. He must learn to understand it and to use it. To
recognize the truth of what we have been considering is a definite step in
progress, but to get the full benefit of this tremendous power of Truth, to
feel the power of God working with you and through you, requires consistent
study and effort.

Prayer

An essential element of progress
in this Science is prayer. But prayer cannot be thought of as an effort to get
infinite wisdom and love to do anything other than what is wisest and most
loving — and God, Principle, Mind, will do this without any guidance from
mortals. Prayer must be communion with infinite Mind, Love, by which we become
more Godlike, more responsive to God's wisdom and love. The Lord's Prayer, for
example, brings to remembrance the name or nature of our heavenly Father; that
it must be consecrated in our hearts, that His kingdom where His laws are
supreme must be acknowledged here on earth; and that His will or power must be
made manifest on earth as in heaven. We not only talk to God in prayer, but we listen
in prayer and put into practice what we learn through this communion. This
efficacious prayer of Christian Science is answered and does heal.

Sometimes we hear the question,
''How can mental treatment in Christian Science heal a physical disease?" A fair question. Let us look not only for the facts, but
also for the reasons for the facts. That Christian Science heals disease
through the power of prayer, as Jesus did, is shown by the many testimonies of
healing which appear in the Christian Science periodicals and which are given
each Wednesday evening in Christian Science churches. This is the fact. But
what are the reasons for the fact? How does prayer heal physical disease? First
let us see just what physical disease is.

We are told that the physical
body is always in a process of replacement, that through metabolism bodily
tissue is constantly being destroyed and replaced, and that in living tissue
this process never stops. That would mean that in a certain length of time any
organ or part of the body would be completely renewed, According to this, the
health and perfection of any organ or any part of the body, or the whole
physical body for that matter, would not be dependent upon the present physical
condition of the body but rather upon the control of these processes.

To stop a disease process and
replace it with healthy activity would seem to be a very practical way to deal
with a sick body. Have you ever noticed how thought affects the bodily
functions — how fear or worry or depression are expressed by the body, not only
in the facial expression and position of the body, but in the overactivity or
inactivity of different organs of the body? Nowadays we hear a great deal about
how the body is controlled by ductless glands and their secretions, At the same
time we hear much about how these secretions depend upon the mental attitude of
the patient, Then we are told that if an individual is healthy and unworried
his secretions will be all right, but if he is fearful or anxious and is not in
good health his secretions will make him trouble.

Christian Science teaches that
man is controlled and governed by God, that from Him he receives an endless
supply of right ideas. Knowing this enables us to resist and destroy the
suggestions of disease and its activity.

Then the question may arise,
"Does Christian Science heal instantaneously as
Jesus did, and how can prayer affect bodily tissue?" Yes, Christian
Science does frequently heal instantaneously. The world for many years believed
that there was an ultimate substance that was indestructible and made up of
unchangeable elements called matter. No well-informed individual believes this
now. One of the teachings of Christian Science, that matter is unreal, no
longer meets with the skepticism of some years ago. Some physicists may apply
the term "matter" to some of the newly discovered units of energy,
but this would not give reality or validity to the outmoded false concept that
was called matter. According to modern theories of physics, then, the physical
body is entirely made up of energy, activity. If you stop the activity of
disease, and allow free scope to the activities of Life, the expression of the
perfect action of Spirit, is it necessary to wait for time to elapse before the
good result can be experienced? So whether the power of prayer or right thought
in healing physical disease seems to operate quickly or slowly, it works
effectively because it strikes at the very basis of disease and utilizes the
irresistible power of God, the power of Truth over error or wrong thinking.

Christian Science in Business

How can Christian Science solve
business problems? Some years ago a very successful business man went to call
on a Christian Science practitioner. He said: "I am honest, I work hard, I
provide my family with everything they need, I try to be fair with everybody,
and I don't knowingly do anything wrong. I like to play golf on Sunday morning
instead of going to church, and I see no reason why I should be a Christian
Scientist. I've come here to see you because my wife asked me to."

In a few minutes' conversation it
developed that business conditions were very difficult. Did you ever know a
time when business conditions were not difficult? Plenty of
business and nothing to sell, or a big inventory and no customers? Or
government controls? Or something else? Well, this man
was evidently having his business troubles. He said, "You have to be just
as smart as you know how just to keep your head above water." Here was a
need that could be met.

The practitioner asked,
"Would you be interested in anything that would help you to make your
business decisions more sound and sure?" When he requested an explanation,
he was told that Christian Science is the law of infinite Mind, and that it
develops one's ability to make wise decisions in response to ideas from this
Mind. He said, ''I think you've got something there."

He began to study Christian
Science and enjoyed not only the study but the results that followed. He
appreciated it from a different point of view from that of his wife, but as
they both progressed their vision of the underlying truth and love of Christian
Science not only solved their individual problems but enabled them to work
together with a mutual appreciation that was a great joy to them both. All of
their activities were more successful and more helpful to larger numbers of
people. He was free from the haunting worry and fear that had tormented him.
Incidentally he was healed of a physical difficulty that had bothered him for
years.

The Two Great Commandments

Scientific obedience to God's
laws has a pronounced effect in business. Not long ago business placed very
little emphasis upon love. "Caveat emptor" — "Let the buyer
beware!" — was an accepted attitude. Economics
was supposed to rest upon the assumption that man was primarily a selfish
animal who would take care of himself without regard for others. But today,
thanks to a clearer appreciation of the relationship between love and
intelligence, it is recognized that it is good business to be loving and considerate
of the needs of others. The business concern that makes it a practice to be
loving and considerate toward its customers is recognized as having a more
intelligent policy than one that attempts to be intelligent without love.

Christ Jesus completely
understood and obeyed God's laws, so that the added things that are needful in
human experience were always available to him. His intelligent obedience to the
laws of God explains his marvelous works. When he was asked by an honest
enquirer what was the most important requirement in the law of God, he said it
was to love God, and that next in importance was loving one's neighbor as
oneself. God is Love, so His laws must be laws of Love, To
completely conform to God's laws, then, would require that one love God and his
fellow men.

Then how can we develop our
ability to love, to let this powerful law of Love operate through us and with
us? Is not gratitude a step in this direction? When a friend is constantly
doing things to add to your happiness, the more you think about these things
and recognize that your friend has done them for you because he loves you, does
not your love for that friend increase? As we consciously recognize all the
good that has come to us from God as an expression of His love for His child,
does not our conscious love for God grow deeper and broader and more constant?
As we recognize the Godlikeness of our fellow men and gratefully appreciate all
the good that they express, do we not love those around us more and more?
Through gratitude we develop our love toward God and man. Because God is Love,
the more we love the more we are at one with God and the more we are obeying
His laws and responding to and expressing His infinite power.

"Love is the fulfilling of
the law," the Bible says (Rom. 13:10), One who
loves God supremely will joyously accept obedience to God's laws as a privilege
rather than a duty. And in reflecting the impartial love of God he will love
his neighbor as himself. He will not love himself and be hateful or apathetic
toward his neighbor. Nor on the other hand will he love his neighbor and be
unjust or inconsiderate toward himself and his family and his associates. To
refuse to coddle the false self that is ungodlike is a wise and just
unselfishness. But to be less than fair and loving to one's own real self would
be to fail to reflect divine Love. God loves you, and it is not Godlike to
neglect yourself any more than to fail to love any other of God's children. To
love your neighbor as yourself and yourself as your neighbor is just and
practical, and can be done not only on Sunday but also on every day of the
business week. It will solve international and racial differences, and
effectively unite the aims of mankind.

Summary

The answer to the question,
"Why should I be interested in Christian Science?" may be stated
briefly. The first reason is that Christian Science is accurate, intelligent
Science that deals with the great fundamentals of reality — God and His laws.
It sets up a standard of Truth and wisdom that enables one to exercise the
breadth of vision and incisive acumen that are necessary to the best expression
of sound good judgment. It develops a capacity not only to discern what is good
but to experience the joy of loving deeply what is good, God and His idea. And
in this acceptance of the government of God, of perfect Mind, divine Love, we
find the needful human things are added.

Then, if Christian Science is
worth trying, how do we go about it? The best way to find out what Christian
Science can do for you is to try it. You can buy or borrow, at any Christian
Science Reading Room, a copy of the textbook, "Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. You will probably be surprised to
find how much of it you have already thought out for yourself. If any statement
seems involved or questionable, pass it over and read on. Later, after you are
more familiar with the terms used, the meaning will be much clearer. Attending
church is helpful, not only the Sunday service but
also the Wednesday evening meetings with their interesting testimonies of
healing. There are Christian Science practitioners who will help you apply this
powerful truth. Whether the need is for physical healing, the adjustment of
inharmonious conditions in business or at home, overcoming of lack and poverty,
or freedom from any condition that is inimical to the happiness that naturally
comes with full obedience to God's laws, the remedy is here, and a practitioner
may be of assistance.

A study of the Bible together
with Science and Health is very useful. You can get a Christian Science
Quarterly, which gives citations from the Bible and correlative passages from
Science and Health. Whether you are just looking into Christian Science or
whether you have been a student for some time, one of the most important
factors in your progress will be daily study of the Bible and Science and
Health, as well as sufficient time each day for individual prayer and communion
with God in the light of Christian Science. It would not be possible to overestimate
the importance of this. To start the day with a clear sense of oneness with God
and communion with Him, with a fresh and vital realization of His good laws and
how to obey them, does much to make the day happy and fruitful.

Christian Science is not a
hypnotic state of self-mesmerism in which one ignores evil. Far
from it. The keenest mathematician most quickly notices a mistake; the
best musician is best able to detect an error. The study of God's laws makes us
more alert to detect mistaken thinking. But we do not ignore it, or just hope
for the best. We actively and effectively destroy the error, including
sickness, lack, discord, or limitation of good in any direction.

Simplicity of Christian Science

Christian Science is very simple
in its operation. The power of Truth and Love is here now. As
we dwell upon these truths that we have been considering, the power of God is
operating in our thought, and because truth is permanent it will continue as an
ever-present influence, bringing to us greater health, harmony, success, and
happiness. Whether we experience instantaneous healing, or whether
patience is required, we are in the presence of omnipotent, ever-present,
eternal Love now, and its power will continue to operate in our consciousness.
This is the open door of Christian Science.

The joy of accepting the
privilege of walking with God, obeying His laws, receiving the unlimited good
which He prepares for His children, is ours today. His love and wisdom are
ready to guide and strengthen and heal us as we wholeheartedly turn to Him. We
can gratefully accept this happiness and in lives of greater usefulness share
what we have received with others. In the light of Christian Science the
troubles of yesterday make way for the dawn of God's day of freedom, abundance,
and harmony. In the Christian Science Hymnal we read:

"Green pastures
are before me,

Which yet I have not
seen;

Bright skies will
soon be o'er me,

Where
darkest clouds have been.

My hope I cannot
measure,

My path in life is
free;

My Father has my
treasure,

And He will walk with
me."

[Delivered May 7, 1948, under the auspices of Sixth Church
of Christ, Scientist, Detroit, Michigan, and published in The Grosse Pointe
News, May 13, 1948.]